Well here we go again. I’m in Grangeville, Idaho on business and I’m again in the hotel watching sports and eating my dinner by myself. I just hate to sit in a restaurant by myself and eat a dinner alone. It is depressing, so I have gotten rather good at adapting. Does the hotel room have a microwave? Perhaps some hot pockets for dinner with a beer or two. Or in the case of Grangeville there are a few places that have good takeout so I take advantage of them. I have also wised up and realized if I want good beer I need to bring it myself. I know where I can find it. In Grangeville they have a few decent beers in the grocery store, but I have to buy a six, no singles. So I bring my own and mix it up if I’m only going to be here for one night like tonight.
Well I don’t have a lot of originality to my meal selection. Do you remember what I had last time?…
That is right Pizza and a salad. This time I did mix it up a little I made my own salad at the salad bar, and I got a Greek pizza. Although it isn’t as greek as it might be because the Pizza Factory ran out of Feta Cheese. They told me about it , and I said it was ok because I like the toppings anyway, but it was a little unfortunate that they interpreted their lack of feta to mean that they should double up the mozerella cheese. Oh well, so is life in a very small town. I’m sure the feta truck will be coming tomorrow.
So I know what you are thinking…What about the Beer?!! Well here is the lineup for tonight…
I am starting with the Three Philosophers Belgian Style Quad from Ommegang Brewery. This is 9.8% ABV and WOW what a nice beer! This is a medium size quad and it is not quite a true Belgian Quad. First it is brewed over 3000 miles away from Belgium in Cooperstown, New York. Cool to think that this is brewed where the Baseball Hall of Fame is. Also it is a blend of a traditional quad and 2% Kriek beer. This gives it a more mellow flavor for a 9.8ABV beer, and gives it just a hint of sweetness on the back side of the palate which is very pleasant. It pours a dark brown with a good creamy head that has good retention. The nose is bready with a hint of those cherries coming through. It is big on malt with just a touch of funk. Its mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth. The flavor is great. It has some sweet and a touch of sour from the Kriek. It has a smokiness to it as well, but it isn’t barreled so I’m assuming it is a combination of the big Belgian yeasts and the higher alcohol content. Buy this and drink it you won’t be disappointed.
My next brew will be the Ninkasi Tricerihops Double IPA. I am taking that order, because Jim informs me that the Storm King destroys your mouth and tastebuds for the rest of the night. So the Ninkasi is up. Some of you might remember that I tried the Ninkasi Oatis and really didn’t like it. It tasted like Michelob, and I couldn’t identify any oats or much flavor other than a lager. So I’m giving them another chance. Lets see how they do.
This IPA pours a clear golden color like a lager with a billowy two finger head with good retention. The nose is hoppy, but I also smell malt. This could be good, it has a very well balanced nose. Grapefruit and some pine is also detected. The flavor is very citrus. There is a big amount of grapefruit up front with a big malty body that anchors the beer to the tongue. The finish is both sweet and bitter with the entire palate involved with the flavor of the brew. Mouthfeel on this is medium bodied and coats the tongue. The flavors linger nicely and at 8.8% ABV there is a nice warming that happens on the finish. This is a very nice brew. I’m going to let it warm up a bit to see if it gets a creamier mouthfeel.
well it didn’t cream up, but it is a very light feeling beer so it would be a great summertime IPA. Also the alcohol is very well concealed in this brew, so it is a very drinable Double IPA. This in part redeems this brewery from their bad Oatmeal Stout.
Finally, there is the Victory Storm King Stout. This is a Big stout and my Sister-in-law’s favorite. I have never had anything from Victory, so I am looking forward to giving it a try. Ok the pour is an inky black with a big three finger head that poured over the top of my little plastic cup. It has decent retention and looks like if it were actually in glass that it would leave a lot of lacing on the glass. So far so good. The nose is big and malty. There is a significant alcohol smell and I am picking up a good amount of hops too.
Well lets see if this truly does destroy my taste buds…here goes. This beer does have a lot going on. a ton of roasted malt that gives an espresso like body to the flavor. I’m picking up a licorice flavor in the middle of my mouth that is at the same time sweet and spicy. The mouthfeel is huge with the brew just taking over the palate and taking no prisoners. This is an imperial stout and the hops make a substantial appearance on the back side of the brew. The finish is big and warm and very in your face.
So that is it for my night. Three big brews, all very good! The Tricerihops was perhaps the lightest, the Three Philosophers the craftiest brew, and the Storm King a take no prisoners Imperial Stout! Finally nothing left to show but the dead soldiers…
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
Sucks being in the Super 8 again. But once again you survive with a good dose of high octane beers.
High octane is correct! Wow I’m feeling it right now! But what a great lineup I pulled out for tonight. Great brews. n All three.
That’s the next on my list from Ommegang, they make pretty good stuff even though they are in NY! They are owned by the Duval people so they know what they are doing.
Don, now that you’re bringing your own beer to the Super 8, you have to start bringing a decent travel glass for your beer! The paper Super 8 cup doesn’t seem to do justice to such nice beers! I figure if you can bring your Joey VHS tapes along for the trip, you can surely find room for a decent beer glass in your bags! 🙂
I agree with Scott. A paper cup, Don. Really?? Maybe if you bubble wrap a nice Chimay chalice or even a plain pint glass and stick it in your luggage, you can pretend you’re not at a Super 8 –no offense to Super 8’s of course. I’m sure they are fine establishments.
Actually this one is nice, and in Grangeville it is the best place in town. Head and shoulders above any competitor. OK, next time I’ll bring my own glass. The cup was actually plastic…They do have some class….Geeze! No promises though if I have to come here for more than one night! A glass would take up a lot of space in the luggage.
Funny you should mention the glass thing. I did think about it, but forgot to throw it in as I was headting out yesterday. Mental block. Oh well you will just have to use your imagination for the pour. Yeah to be honest this is one of the first Belgian style beers made in the US that I really enjoyed. Of course there is Monks Blood, but that is so messed with it is hard to consider that a Belgian any more what with all the fruit and spices mixed in. I was lucky that I found a 12 oz bottle, because it was still 5 bucks and I can only imaging the big corkers would be in the $20 range. It was good though, and I thought they did a good job of handling all the alcohol so it didn’t seem too hot. Joey viewing was awesome! Got in 6 hours last night! Joey on skates, joey on the luge, joey on snowboards…
Glad you saved the Storm King for last, as it is a bit of a bully. I’ve actually grown a little tired of Storm King and have been taking a break from it lately. After a while, it wears you down! I’ve been having a love affair with barrel aged ales and stouts lately, which are less intense, but a little more pleasurable. I’ll have to send you some Weyerbacher Heresy. What a tasty brew!
It sounded good from your description. You can also throw in some dragons milk too! 🙂 I took your advice and put them in an order where the Storm King was last. I liked it, but I’m not sure why Caron is so in love with it. Perhaps it was that black licorice flavor I picked up on. Once I placed the flavor it was like it kept hitting me as licorice every sip. I’ll bet she likes Black Licorice, no? But you are right it is a bit of a bully. Heard my beer store will be getting in one case of Angels share on Friday. I’m going to try and pre order it today!
Jim, Storm King still rocks. But I drink it as a black and tan. Usually will mix it with a lager like Yuengling. Otherwise if you drink two of them your butt is kicked. Loved Victory Yakima Twilight even better and Baltic Thunder is always tasty.
oooh, good idea. I have some Storm King in the garage along with a couple of left over Victory Lagers. You’ve inspired me!
Victory makes good stuff in general – ther beers are always crafted with confidence and have a clear vision of what the beer is supposed to be. It takes guts to make beers as ambitious as they do, and skill to make each one tasty, unique and still representative of their syle of beer.
Hopefully your business wasn’t the next morning! I would have been out after the Three Philosophers and the Tricerahops. Looks like you classed up the joint with those fine brews. You should have rang room service and asked for a paper tulip glass! 🙂 I have a bottle of Three Philosophers waiting for me in the fridge. I’ve heard nothing but good things about it, and I’m looking forward to it.
Chad, the three Philosophers was great. Much bigger and bolder than I expected, it was a pleasant surprise. I actually found a Ninkasi brew that I liked. This is important to have a good brew at a good price that can be a go to beer. The storm King was ridiculous. It was so big and over the top, but a tasty imperial stout. OK next time I’ll bring my own glass…sheesch.
3 philosophers is a got to beer for me. I love it everytime.
I haven’t had Ninkasi but have been looking forward to it.
When I first moved back to Ohio the wife and 2 (then) kids lived in a single red roof inn for a few months. We were so broke! It was a great experience, actually though. I remember I only bought beer once that entire time. Goose Island Pale Ale.
I’ve done that but only for a couple of weeks. I can only imagine how it would have been for a few months. Wow. I thought the three philosophers was very good, and much bigger than I expected. Great flavors. The Ninkasi is great for me and will be a go to beer because I can get the 22oz bombers for about $4.
Absolutely love Three Philosophers, though it’s not my favorite Ommegang brew (great brewery, by the way…fun people). My faves are their brett brews, Ommegedon and Biere de Mars. In fact, just had the Ommegedon last night! Great stuff.
It was very good Katie. I’ve had one other Ommegang before, I can’t remember which one, but wasn’t very impressed. This was big and bold and very good. Well crafted.